Middlesex Police receive donation to support K-9
Middlesex Police K-9 officer Mark Heider received a $10,000 donation from Paracca Interiors Flooring America on Route 8 to support the department’s new K-9, Bolt.
Heider recently introduced the township’s new police dog, an 18-month-old German Shepherd named Bolt, at a Middlesex Township board of supervisors meeting. Bolt takes the spot left open by K-9 Mibo, who died Aug. 14 of a “medical emergency,” according to the department.
“As a life-long township resident and business owner, we know having Bolt on staff with Officer Heider helps the safety, security and well-being of everyone in Middlesex Township along with our neighboring communities,” Paracca Interiors sales and marketing director Sallie Starr Paracca said in a statement. “Keeping our community safe is paramount and we are delighted to support our local law enforcement ,and first responders.”
Heider and Bolt are already busy with training, Heider said, though Bolt’s formal training towards certification doesn’t start until Nov. 7.
“Everything we have been doing to this point has been general familiarization training,” Heider said. “We’ve done some article searches, we’ve done some tracks, lots of obedience on the leash and off the leash, and getting him used to the K-9 unit vehicle.”
Heider looks forward to working with Bolt in the township, he added.
“On a personal note, it’s been good for me personally to get refocused on a new dog as opposed to dwelling on Mibo passing away,” Heider said. “All that support coming in, I’m extremely grateful.”
